How strong are u? U never really know until
you get tested by fire 🔥 of life.
I did surgery 3 weeks ago , 10 seams size . But I know how tough
I’m and continues improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop
me, still doing my things sparrings and everything. I’m so
blessing… pic.twitter.com/gbClA66K7l— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA)
October 9, 2023
Recent unplanned surgery will not keep Paulo Costa
from his fight in November.
Renzo
Gracie recently
informed Sherdog that Costa had arrived to his apartment in Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Additionally, he mentioned that Costa
had received surgery on his elbow in a procedure that would not put
his
UFC 294 appearance in jeopardy. On Monday, Costa posted
publicly about his operation, with photographs showing his
condition before and his training after.
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“How strong are [you],” Costa asked. “[You] never really know until
you get tested by fire of life. I had surgery 3 weeks ago, 10
[stitches total]. But I know how tough [I am] and [continue]
improving and overcoming myself. It doesn’t stop me, still doing my
things [with sparring] and everything. I’m so [blessed], [God]
gives me exceptional condition, and surrounded me by great
people.”
In addition to detailed images of the injury and photos in the
hospital, Costa reassured fans by sharing images in which he
appears with his arm completely stretched out. Per ESPN,
Costa went under the knife for an infected bursa on his elbow. The
middleweight contender also uploaded videos where he appears in
sparring sessions apparently without limitations, and has no plans
on withdrawing from his upcoming bout.
An active personality on social media, the Brazilian also expressed
frustrations at what he considered persecution by the U.S.
Anti-Doping Agency. The most tested athlete on the UFC roster this
year, with 33 tests of blood or urine thus far – and per USADA,
over 135 tests in the last seven years – Costa revealed he had a
special sample prepared for the drug testers. Fighters who pass 50
tests are given a jacket by the agency, and when Costa receives
one, he plans on vengefully soiling it.
To be specific, Costa wrote,
“When they bring that ugly jacket for me, [I’m] going to pee [on
it].”
“Borrachinha” returns to the Octagon after more than a year away,
due in part to a contractual dispute with the company. The UFC’s
no. 6 middleweight battles unbeaten Khamzat
Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294 on Oct. 21 in Abu
Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the headliner, Islam
Makhachev runs it back with Charles
Oliveira for the lightweight title.